Thanks to the reputation it is gaining within the region and beyond, OU has been recognized by several national organizations including The Princeton Review, Carnegie Foundation, “U.S News and World Report” and is listed in “The Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges.”

The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review named Oakland University in its first edition of “The Best Midwestern Colleges, 150 Great Schools to Consider.” The book showcases the top schools in 11 states based on academic excellence and student surveys about academics, campus life and the student body. Among the schools OU appears with are Indiana University, Notre Dame, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin.

The Princeton Review is a New York City-based company known for its test preparation courses, admission and education services, and books. It has conducted surveys since 1992, when it first published its annual “Best Colleges” – the only guide offering college rankings based on student ratings of their schools and reports of their experiences at them. One of 190 books developed by The Princeton Review and published by Random House, this book offers two-page profiles on each college with more detailed information. No school has ever paid a fee to be in the book.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education categorizes Oakland University as a "Doctoral/Research University-Intensive." Produced by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the classification reflects OU's strong commitment to graduate education through its doctoral programs as well as its extensive undergraduate programs. Oakland University offers students opportunities to work directly on research projects with expert faculty who bring current knowledge right to the classroom.

This classification places OU among other public and private institutions such as San Diego State University, Pepperdine University, University of San Diego, University of Colorado at Denver, DePaul University, Ball State University, University of Maryland-Baltimore, University of Massachusetts-Boston, Dartmouth College, Hofstra University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Wake Forest University, Baylor University, College of William and Mary, and George Mason University.

Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and chartered in 1906 by an Act of Congress, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is an independent policy and research center whose charge is "to do and perform all things necessary to encourage, uphold, and dignify the profession of the teacher and the cause of higher education." The foundation is a major national and international center for research and policy studies about teaching.

‘The Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges’
Oakland University is ranked one of the nation’s most underrated schools in the 2004 edition of “The Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges,” published by Kaplan Publishing/Simon and Schuster. Oakland appears on a list of the 20 most underrated schools in the United States, according to a national survey of public and private high school guidance counselors. Universities were judged on classroom experience, campus environment and student life. The list also includes the University of Arizona, Duke University and the University of Chicago, among others.

Kaplan Inc. is one of the nation's premier providers of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan offers preparation for 35 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school as well as English language and professional licensing exams. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and college and graduate admissions consulting services.

‘U.S. News and World Report’ – ‘America’s Best Colleges’
“U.S News and World Report” consistently recognizes Oakland in its annual report about “America’s Best Colleges.” Oakland has been listed among national-doctoral universities since the 2002-03 edition. Prior to appearing on the national list, “U.S. News and World Report” ranked Oakland among the top universities in the Midwest.

‘U.S. News and World Report’ – ‘Best Graduate Schools’
Oakland University’s Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia was recognized as sixth in the United States in the 2004 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools.”

The program, which provides an exceptional educational environment for training certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), started in 1991 as a collaborative initiative to address the nurse anesthesia shortage. Currently, there are 86 graduate programs of nurse anesthesia in the United States with four in Michigan.

U.S. News began its annual rankings of American colleges and universities in 1983 with the fall of 1987 marking the first publication of the newsstand book, “America’s Best Colleges.” “America’s Best Graduate Schools” came on board in 1994. In 1983, rankings were purely reputational, based on an opinion survey of 662 college presidents. Since then, rankings have been modified more than a dozen times to include measures such as selectivity, strength of faculty and SAT scores.

Oakland University is a growing, top-rated academic institution offering students a personal, high-quality education through flexible class schedules, new facilities, student services, classroom technologies, labs, internships, co-ops, research opportunities with corporate partners, and degree and certificate programs.

With more than 16,000 students and a low student-to-faculty ratio, Oakland offers diverse academic programs, including 114 baccalaureate programs and 82 graduate and certificate programs through its five professional schools — School of Business Administration, School of Education and Human Services, School of Engineering and Computer Science, School of Health Sciences, and School of Nursing — and the College of Arts and Sciences. Oakland University also offers a challenging and enriching Honors College.